Herbal Supplements Should Not be Taken By Cosmetic Surgery Patients

All of those popular herbal supplements may be good for many things, but using them along with cosmetic facial procedures is not one.
A report in this month’s issue of the ASPS medical journal has found that “many of these [herbal] supplements can put the surgical patient at risk.” In order to avoid complications, it is advised that surgical patients discontinue the use of any herbal supplements for at least the two weeks leading up to a procedure.

THE BAD

In the study, 35 of the 200 patients had been taking supplements linked to an increased risk of bleeding during a cosmetic procedure and were asked to stop taking these supplements. Some of those connected to increase the risk of bleeding included popular supplements like fish and flaxseed oil, vitamin E, and garlic, as well as bilberry, bromelain, methylsulfonylmethane, and seleniu. Several other popular supplements including Echinacea, ephedra, feverfew, ginger, gingko, ginseng, kava, St. John’s wort and valerian were also linked to negative effects.

BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE

The UNC Burn Reconstruction & Aesthetic Center prides itself in delivering a world-class experience and your safety is our first priority. We ask that you would please inform us of any supplement use prior to your procedure and recommend that you avoid them for at least two weeks before your surgery. We believe in achieving the best results while ensuring your safety and comfort.